<p>The Tamil National People's Front's (TNPF) Amparai District candidate, Kokularaj, was attacked with swords by men from the paramiltary Karuna group shortly after midnight, the TNPF <a href="https://twitter.com/TnpfOrg/status/1292978589672054784?s=20">tweeted</a>. </p>
<p>Kokularaj has been admitted to hospital with serious injuries. </p>
<p>In the run up to Sri Lanka's parliamentary elections, TNPF leader, Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam reported that candidates who were contesting in the Eastern province are “on the verge of withdrawing due to ferocious threats and harassment” from paramilitary groups. </p>
<p>Ponnambalam said that paramilitary organisations and Sri Lankan military intelligence had pursued a campaign of intimidation and harassment against party members.</p>
<p>"In Amparai 3 of our candidates are on the verge of withdrawing due to ferocious threats and harassment from the Karuna group,” he said. “In Batticaloa, one of our candidates is under threat from Pillayan group for the last 3 years," he added. </p>
<p><a href="https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/‘candidates-verge-withdrawing-due-ferocious-threats’-–-tnpf"><u><strong>Read more here: 'Candidates on the verge of withdrawing due to ferocious threats' TNPF </strong></u></a></p>
We need your support. Every contribution counts.
Sri Lanka is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a journalist. Tamil journalists are particularly at threat, with at least 41 media workers known to have been killed by the Sri Lankan state or its paramilitaries during and after the armed conflict.
Despite the risks, our team on the ground remain committed to providing detailed and accurate reporting of developments in the Tamil homeland, across the island and around the world, as well as providing expert analysis and insight from the Tamil point of view
We need your support in keeping our journalism going. Support our work today.